staeber



2 Sheets-SheetJ 1.

(No Model.)

Gr. STAEBER.

VELOGIPEDB.

Patented Dec. 18,

Witwe/maf,

N. remis Pmwumugnphef, wnhingmn. a

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

G.STABBBR.

VELOGIPEDE.

No. 394,890. Patented Deo. 18, 11888.

'UNTTED STATES PATENT EETCE.

euer/AV s'rAEEER, or MGELN, NEAR osoHATZ, sAXoNY, GERMANY.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,890, dated December 18, 1888.

Application filed May29, 1888. Serial No. 275,517. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that LGUsTAv STAEBER, potter, a citizen of Germany, residin g at Miigeln, near Oschatz, in the Kingdom ot' Saxony, Germany, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Four-Cycle Velocipedes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ot' the invention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains io make and use the same.

This invention has for its objectto adapt a four-cycle velocipede to be propelled by a greater number of riders than heretofore, and thereby increase its carrying capacity.

To this end my invention consists in the construction and combination ot' parts hereinafter particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l ,represents a longitudinal vertical section of a tour-cycle velocipede embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a plan oit' the lower part of said four-cycle velocipede; Fig. 3, a detail side elevation ot' the treadles and eccentrics, and Fig. tadetail side elevation of a single treadle and eccentric atthe dead-point.

A designates the front axle, having one of the front wheels fast on it and the other loose. The former wheel is designated by R, the latter wheel by Rf. A series of eccentrics, e e2 e c, have their points of greatest distace from the center distributed at regular intervals, no two beinpresented in the same direction at the same time. Thus as the axle rotates there is a rapid succession ot' eccentrics, each temporarily in position io aid in continuing' this rotation.

A transverse rod,p, serves as a Viiulcrum for a series ot' treadle-levers, 71. 71.2 7b3 71., correspending in number to said eccentrics. The long arm ot' cach level' is provided with one ot' the treadles l. l? ii t", the short arm being provided with one ot a series ot' anti-friction. rollers, r lr2 yr3 rt, and each roller being arranged to act against the cam-'face ot one ot said eccentrics when its treadle is depressed. The direction of the rotation thus communicated to the axle will depend on the position ot' the roller thus actuated with regard to the line passing through the points on the eccentric of greatest and of least distance from the center of the axle. lVhen the roller bears on either of these dead-points, it will easily stop the Vfour-cycle in the absence of any greater treadle-pressure applied to move it.

The propelling-levers 72. h2 7L h are inclosed in a case, L, turning with the upper part, O, of the vehicle around akiug-bolt,p. Ahand level', d, is used for this purpose. It is -piv- Oted on a bolt, p2, and preferably provided with a split handle, g. The rear wheels, R2 R3, are loose on the rear axle, A. A ln'ake, s, bears against the periphery ot one ot' these wheels, and is operated by the occupants ot' the vehicle. 3y operating the treadles the rollers are caused successively to act on the eccentrics and turn the axle A and wheel R, movingl the .vehicle steadily and rapidly in the direction chosen. When it is to be stopped, all pressure is withdrawn from the treadles except one which is made to catch its eccentric on the dead-point; or the brake may be applied t'or the same purpose, ol'ieratingmore gradually. A single pairot' treadles will suftice for propulsion; but there maybe as many persons engaged in this work as there are pairs of treadles, so that great power and speed are secured when these last are numerous.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is- In a four wheeled vehicle propelled by treadles arranged to be operated by the occupants of said vehicle, the combination of a series of treadle-levers and a corresponding series ot' cccentrics arranged, as stated, with the axle on which said eccentrics are fast, the wheel R, tast on said axle, and the other transporting-wheels ot' the vehicle, said treadle-levers bei ng pivoted to bear against the peripheries ot' said eccentrics, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof l aliix my signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

GUSTAV STAEBER.

lVitn esses:

(EARL F. REICHETT, PAUL DRUCKMLLEE. 

